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.(ModeL) I J. A. BALDWIN.

DOOR LATCH. No. 276,333. Patented Apr.24, 1883.

WITNESSES INVENTOIR.

&.mzzw4 2 v/zezw ATTORNEY.

" UNITED- STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

JUDSQN A. BALDWIN, OF SHELBURNE, VERMONT.

DOOR-LATCH.

SBECIEICATIN forming part of Letters Patent ,No. 276,333,dated April 24, 1883.

' Application filed January 16, 1883. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J UDSON A. BALDWIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Shelburne, in the county of Ohittenden and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Latches for Doors; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to'an improvement in latches for doors of all kinds, butintended espe cially for use in connection with refrigerators; and it consists in the combination of a partially-revolving locking-bolt which has one of its sides cut away, and which has an operatin g-handle secured rigidly thereto, with a vertically-sliding catch, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to provide a latch that releases the door when the handle is taken hold of and raised slightly upward, and which automatically locks the door as soon as the door is closed and the handle released.

Figure 1 is a perspectiveof a latch embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, the parts being shown in solid lines in one position and in dotted lines in another.

A represents the frame of the door or refrigerator, and B the door connected therewith. Secured to this door is the metallic frame (3, which is provided with the ears or to turn partially around when the handle is left free to move, and" which handle, when raised upward, causes the bolt to turn in its bearings until a stop or projection, I, strikes the face of the plate or frame 0. As the bolt is being turned its squared or cut-away face acts as a cam to force the sliding catch F upward in the frame J, and when the bolt has reached the full extent of its movement its squared side stands at such an angle to the catch F that the door can be pulled freely open. As soon as the door is closed and the handle released the weightot' the handle turns the bolt, as shown in solid lines in Fig. 2, when the latch catches over its top in such a manner as to lock the door effectually. The frame J, in which the sliding catch F is placed, is made double ended, sothat it can be removed from one side of the frame, reversed in position, and then applied to the other side. The catch F slides freely back and forth in this frame, and is prevented from dropping down past the center of the frame by means of the cross-bar K, which is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. When the frame J is to be applied to the opposite side of the door this catch is removed, reversed in position, and again placed in the upper part of the frame J.

y In order to make the bolt also reversible, that flange of the frame 0 which is to he applied to the edge of the door is made removable, so that the bolt can be also removed from the frame and reversed, so as to correspond to the' position in which it is to be used.

A look of any suitable description may be used in connection with this latch, which will be operated by-a key in the usual manner. It'desired, the lock will form a part of the latch above described; or it will be made en tirely distinct therefrom.

I am aware that 'a vertically-moving latch used in connection with a turning bolt is not new, and that a turning bolt cut away upon one side, but not used in connection with a movable latch, is old, and these I disclaim.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a latch for doors, the combination of a partially-revolving bolt having one of its ends cut away, with a vertically-sliding catch which which the catch is placed, substantially as set;

engages with the cut-away end of the bolt, subforth. 1o stantially as shown. In testimony whereofI do affix my signature 2. The combination of a suitable frame proin presence of two witnesses.

vided with flanges or bearings, and a partially- JUDSON A. BALDWIN. revolving bolt, hav in g a handle applied thereto, Witnesses v and having its outer end cutl away, with a ver- E. R. POWELL,

tically-sliding catch, and a suitable frame in CHARLES E. ALLEN. 

